Traded down from #23 to #30 with SF and Picked up a 6th Round pick (#26).

My Take: Great Talent that dropped due to severe durability concerns. Read the durability blurb below. Boom or Bust Pick.

NFL Network Comment: May be 1 of the best Special Teams players to come out of this draft. Should have immediate Impact there. They expected him to be taken by a 3-4 team as Rush OLB. For Lions he could play a Rush DE on Passing downs, but they dont really see him as an OLB for us.

"Prototypical height, arm length (32 ½'), and hand span (9 ¼') with very good bulk for a 3-4 OLB/SLB prospect. Outstanding 10-yard split (1.62) and 40 time (4.67) for the position, especially given his size. Also posted elite ties in the 20-shuttle (4.40) and 3cone (7.09)."

Durability - 4

"In 2011, missed two games due to a sprained MCL in left knee. In 2010, suffered a right knee injury against Iowa State in 2010 that required minor surgery and forced him to miss two games. Also was carted off the field during the 2010-'11 Fiesta Bowl with a neck injury that resulted in a loss of feeling in both his neck and back for a brief period of time. Has dealt with nagging back injuries throughout career. "

Intangibles - 3

"Hard worker, tone setter. No off-the-incidents to our knowledge. Struggled with academics during career. Ruled academically ineligible for 2011 Insight Bowl. Played eight-man high school football at DS and RB in 2007, and then MLB and RB in 2008. Began OU career at MLB, moved to SLB and eventually to DE. From Dewar (pop. 919), OK, same roots as Troy Aikman."

Outside Linebacker Specific Traits

Instincts/Recognition - 3

Generally finds and reacts to the ball well. Flashes playmaking instincts and will finish plays. Pass-rushing instincts can improve. Does not always appear to have a plan and is not natural at adjusting on the fly. He can get caught peeking inside and lose edge contain. Also can be a split second late recognizing screens out of the backfield. Does not always appear to have a great understanding of his responsibilities.

Take-on Skills - 1

"Short and squatty. Plays with balance and a wide base but lacks ideal size when taking on OTs and can occasionally get engulfed. However, he has a powerful upper body (36 reps on bench was combine best for LBs) and it transfers to the field. Has violent, strong hands. Shows ability to control much bigger blockers and can quickly disengage. Also flashes ability to slip blocks in space. "

Range vs. Run - 2

"Overall movement skills are adequate-to-good for 3-4 OLB. Displays some tightness when having to make a sudden change of direction. However, possesses above-average speed when pointed in the right direction and closes quickly when in pursuit. Love this guy's motor."

Tackling - 1

Area of strength. Shares some similarities with Anthony Spencer (Cowboys). A powerful wrap-up tackler with a wide base. Brings hips though contact and consistently shows ability to halt runners' momentum. Also can deliver a violent strike when on the move. Will have some limitations when caught in one-on-one situations in space due to tightness. Big time hitter on kick cover team (earned him nickname 'Hammer').

3rd Down Capabilities - 2

"Best attribute here is pass-rush ability but production a bit underwhelming. Possesses good first-step quickness and can establish initial position. Also uses head-and-shoulder moves well to set up OTs. Lacks elite torso flexibility to dip and shave the corners. However, can dip his inside shoulder and get underneath offensive tackles' pads. Flashes ability to generate push with power moves but lacks prototypical finishing strength. Relentless motor as a pass-rusher and gives great second effort. Displays stiffness in hips but has quick feet and enough agility to handle underneath zone responsibility. Might struggle grasping assignments in zone and will have limitations in man-coverage. "

Last edited by DJ-B on April 28th, 2012, 2:11 pm, edited 6 times in total.

It's no wonder he's a bit injury prone. He is just violent. Great for a highlight reel, not great for career duration!

Last edited by yostevo on April 28th, 2012, 1:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.

April 28th, 2012, 1:40 pm

DJ-B

Pro Bowl Player

Joined: April 5th, 2007, 5:51 pmPosts: 2563

Re: Lions Select Ronnell Lewis - OLB , OK in the 4th

Ferris wrote:

Sounds like a quality special teams player. Wonder if the Lions see an OLB or a DE? Avril was drafted an OLB if memory serves.

Im with you. At this point Nobody is infatuated with Levy anymore and consider him serviceable at best. At LB Ronnell immediately becomes our 4th and could theoretically compete with Levy for playtime even this season based on his talent.

At DE he would just be playing ST this year and learning the DE role as an Avril type PR Specialist (which avril was when we first drafted him, he grew into run-play capabilities) but probably wouldnt see playing time this year on the D. He could focus on building an additional 10-20 lbs, learn the techniques, and be there as depth next season as Avril (MAYBE) leaves , KVB gets older, etc.

April 28th, 2012, 1:43 pm

DJ-B

Pro Bowl Player

Joined: April 5th, 2007, 5:51 pmPosts: 2563

Re: Lions Select Ronnell Lewis - OLB , OK (4th Rnd)

Combine Info:

40-Yard Dash - 4.68 --- Worst: 4.93 - Best OLB: Zach Brown 4.50

3-Cone Drill - 7.09 ---- Worst: 7.46 - Best OLB: Bruce Irvin 6.70

20-Yard Shuttle - 4.00 --- Worst: 4.43 - Best OLB: Ronnell Lewis 4.00

Bench Press - 36.0 --- Worst: 12.0 - Best OLB: Ronnell Lewis 36.0

Vertical Jump - 31.0 --- Worst: 29.5 - Best OLB: Demario Davis 38.5

Broad Jump - 112.0 --- Worst: 107.0 - Best OLB: Demario Davis 124.0

My Take: - Solid in all Workouts, no real concerns on this list although his Jumping is in the lower 3rd. Top 1/3 in 3 Cone and 40yd dash & TOPs with a Very High bench (not a big deal but controbutes to his reputation as "The Hammer") and more Importantly the 20 Yd Shuttle. Could he be a Weakside LB that can Cover better than levy at a much stiffer Run Defense weight, or a Backup to Durant at SAM, or do you ask him to gain weight and see if he can without losing his speed or agility and put him as DE.

The guys on on Sirius were talking about Lewis as a LOLB, same as Durant. Durant is in a contract year and even if he re-signs, the depth would be good.

During the conversation about Lewis' potential as a DE or OLB, Gil Brandt called Willie Young a "sleeping giant." Hope he's right.

_________________Proud member of the Contract Extension for Schwartz Fan Club.

April 28th, 2012, 1:59 pm

sweetd20

Pro Bowl Player

Joined: October 13th, 2005, 9:03 amPosts: 2489

Re: Lions Select Ronnell Lewis - OLB , OK (Rd 4)

STer and pass rush OLB and hopefully he can improve on the rest of his game. He just loves to hit. Needs work in pre-snap recognition but like I said hopefully he can improve on that and become a starter in a year or two.

April 28th, 2012, 2:20 pm

wjb21ndtown

Re: Lions Select Ronnell Lewis - OLB , OK (Rd 4)

So far I'm disappointed that we traded back and missed out on Boynkins and Ron Brooks. I realize we needed LB help, but I think we missed out on some really talented CB/PR&KR prospects for an extra 6th round pick and a special teams guy. I don't really like it.

April 28th, 2012, 2:45 pm

The Legend

HC – Jim Caldwell

Joined: February 11th, 2005, 3:01 pmPosts: 4699Location: WSU

Re: Lions Select Ronnell Lewis - OLB , OK (Rd 4)

boykins is a talent no doubt, brooks might ve been a good option buried on the depth chart buried behind some big time lsu players. i was thinking they might have traded up earlier in the 4th but apparently mayhew liked some of the players in the late 4th early 5th area